Concerns over staffing levels at a Leitrim nursing home have been raised by health inspectors.
A Hiqa report into the Ballinamore Nursing unit in December last found "insufficient numbers and skill mix of staff with the appropriate knowledge and skills."
This unannounced inspection took place in December with 19 residents on the premises.
A total of 17 outcomes were inspected, with 11 compliant, two non-compliant and four substantially compliant.
Overall, residents' feedback was positive and they told the inspectors they were "happy living in the centre, were well looked after, that the food was of a good standard and there was plenty of activities available if they wanted to participate during the day."
However, Hiqa raised concerns over staffing at the facility and its impact on residents.
The inspection claimed that there was an insufficient number and skill mix of staff with the appropriate knowledge and skills having regard to the needs of residents and the size and layout of the centre.
Inspectors also saw that some residents with high support needs were left without a member of staff to supervise their safety and ensure their needs were responded to promptly in a lounge.
Hiqa also claimed that the HSE had identified that the COVID-19 staffing contingency plan would not be effective in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak in the centre but had not taken action to address this risk.
Responding to the report the HSE says an action plan has been put in place by the Registered Provider in conjunction with the Person in Charge of Ballinamore Community Nursing Unit to address the Non-Compliances.
They have also confirmed that a "review of the staffing compliment and the supervision of residents in communal rooms has been completed."
They claim this has resulted in a staff member "being assigned to the communal areas paying special attention to the mornings and late afternoons and "this ensures that resident's supervision is in place."
You can read the full report here
The full HSE statement is contained below:
This HIQA report was the result of an unannounced inspection which took place on the 10th December 2021 in Ballinamore Community Nursing Unit.
This centre is managed by the HSE and is located in Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim. It is a community based residential service currently accommodating the care needs of the older population in Leitrim. Ballinamore Community Nursing Unit is a 20-bedded unit which provides on-going care of Dependant Older Persons, Palliative Care, Physical Disability, Mental Health Illness, Dementia Care, Frailty Syndromes, Young Chronic Sick. The service accommodates care for male and female over 65 years of age, however there may be exceptions depending on the circumstances of the referral.
This inspection identified that Ballinamore Nursing Unit was compliant with eleven of the seventeen judgements inspected (Persons In Charge, Training and Staff Development, Records, Notification of Incidents, Complaints procedure, Written policies and procedures, Visits, Individual assessment and care plan, Health care, Managing behaviour that is challenging and protection), substantially compliant with four judgements ( Premises, Infection Control, Fire Precautions and Residents Rights) and non-compliant with two(Staffing and Governance and Management).
The HIQA Inspectors found staff in the centre respected residents rights, were attentive to residents needs for assistance and were kind and gentle in their interactions with residents. The residents were greatly supported to have a meaningful life in the centre and were provided with opportunities to participate in a social activity programme facilitated.
An Action plan has been put in place by the Registered Provider in conjunction with the Person in Charge of Ballinamore Community Nursing Unit to address the Non Compliances to include the following:
A review of the staffing compliment and the supervision of residents in communal rooms has been completed. This has resulted in a staff member being assigned to the communal areas paying special attention to the mornings and late afternoons. This ensures that resident's supervision is in place.
A review of the nursing roster has taken place and will allow for two nurses being rostered per day.
A review of medication management practices within the unit has taken place and a blister pack system is being implemented in the unit from the 11/02/2022. These measures will assist in the delivery of morning medications in a timely manner
A full review of the roster has taken place for all disciplines. Each staff member is assigned to a specific task per day. This has resulted in a full complement of care staff each day. This also ensures that Infection Prevention and Control measures are in place and thus eliminating the risk of cross infection.
The register provider is working closely with the HR department regarding recruitment for all vacant positions within the unit. The vacant CNM 2 post has been expressed to the active panel. Recruitment of this post has been prioritised by the HR department. In the absence of the Person in Charge a staff nurse is assigned the management responsibility of the unit. The deputizing arrangements for the unit have been clearly identified in the staffing roster. The deputizing arrangements in the absence of the Person in Charge has also been updated in the Statement of Purpose.
Staff nurse interviews took place on the 27/01/2022 and expressions of interests have been forwarded to successful candidates and successful candidate are moving through the recruitment stages. A further two healthcare attendants are currently being recruited and are at contracting stage. The recruitment across all disciplines will result in a reduction of agency usage within the unit.
Mr Frank Morrison, HSE Head of Service Older Persons, Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo, acknowledges the efforts made by staff and management at the centre to achieve this high level of compliance.
